Accessibility in electronic devices and educational platforms

Dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects reading, writing and spelling, has led to a growing awareness of the importance of accessibility in electronic devices and educational platforms.

This session will examine how technology can be designed to be more inclusive, enabling people with dyslexia to overcome barriers and participate fully in educational and digital environments.

Accessibility Challenges for People with Dyslexia

• Reading Difficulties: Dyslexia presents specific reading challenges, including slow decoding, letter confusion and eye fatigue. These difficulties can affect academic performance and participation in daily activities that require reading skills.

• Writing and Spelling Issues: Writing and spelling can also be areas of difficulty for people with dyslexia. Inverted letters and difficulty organizing ideas can affect the quality of written expression and effective communication.

Screen Readers and Accessibility Settings

• Built-in Screen Readers: Modern electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, often include built-in screen readers. These readers convert text into speech, providing an auditory alternative to visual reading and benefitting people with dyslexia by offering access to information in a more accessible way.

• Customized Settings: The possibility of making customized adjustments, such as changing the font size and style, as well as adjusting the contrast, allows people with dyslexia to adapt electronic devices according to their specific visual needs.

Font Design and Contrast

• Fonts Specifically for Dyslexia: Fonts specifically designed for dyslexia, such as OpenDyslexic, use features that make it easier to differentiate between letters and improve readability. These fonts can be incorporated into digital platforms and applications, providing an additional option to improve the reading experience.

• Adjustable Contrast: The ability to adjust contrast levels on electronic devices is crucial. This not only benefits people with dyslexia, but also those with visual impairments. Contrast adjustments improve text visibility and reduce eye strain.

Audiobooks and Text-to-Speech Functions

• Integration of Audiobooks: The integration of audiobooks in educational platforms offers a valuable alternative for people with dyslexia. Listening to the content allows for more accessible comprehension and reduces dependence on visual reading.

• Speech Synthesizers: Text-to-speech functions, present in devices and applications, use speech synthesizers to convert text into audible speech. This not only benefits people with dyslexia, but also those who prefer to consume content aurally.

Universal Design in Educational Platforms

• Adaptation to Learning Styles: Educational platforms that adopt universal design strive to adapt to different learning styles, including those associated with dyslexia. Presenting information in a variety of ways, such as graphics and audio content, enriches the learning experience.

• Clear and Visual Instructions: The use of clear and visual instructions benefits people with dyslexia by providing additional guidance. Images, graphics and videos can complement written instructions, making them easier to understand.

Pronunciation and Writing Assistance Functions

• Pronunciation Tools: Some educational platforms incorporate pronunciation tools that help people with dyslexia improve the articulation and pronunciation of words. This not only benefits oral expression, but also contributes to better reading comprehension.

• Writing Assistance: Writing assistance features, such as grammar checkers and word predictors, are essential for people with dyslexia. These tools provide support in written composition and improve confidence in the expression of ideas.

Personalized Learning Platforms

• Content Adaptation: Learning platforms that allow for the adaptation of content according to individual needs are essential. The ability to modify text difficulty or access additional resources offers flexibility to adapt to the pace and skill level of each student.